Trace Mercies to their SOURCE

"Whose heart the Lord opened." -Acts 16:14 [KJV]

It is always blessed to trace mercies to their source! And blessed when, through grace, we are enabled to give God His glory, and not put down to man's merit what wholly originates in God's grace. The opening of the heart can only be the province of Him that made it. Renewing work, as well as creating work, is His. He that hath the key of David, is He alone "that openeth, and none shutteth; and shutteth, and none openeth." What a beautiful illustration hath the Holy Ghost given the church of this precious truth, in the instance of this woman, whose heart the Lord opened!  

We are told in her history, that she was of the city of Thyatira, a place remote from Philippi, where this sovereign act of mercy was shewn towards her. How long she had remained in a state of unrenewed nature, or what predisposing providence it was that brought her to Philippi, with other circumstances which we might have thought interesting to inquire after, we are not informed: the grand feature in her character is summed up in this short, but blessed account, "whose heart the Lord opened." The Holy Ghost hath indeed recorded her name and occupation, by way of making this testimony concerning her: - "a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple."  

Behold, my soul! What blessed instruction ariseth out of it, for thine evening's meditation. What honourable mention is made of her, from this one blessed act, which the Lord wrought upon her. Poor and inconsiderable as she was in herself; small and of no reputation, yet her name is in the book of life! Pause, and contemplate the rich mercy which the Lord hath also accomplished in thee. Hath not He that opened Lydia's heart, opened thine? And is it not His province also, that first opened it by His grace, to keep it open by the daily influences of His Holy Spirit? Is it not His to renew, to refresh, to comfort, to strengthen, and to confirm unto the end? And wilt thou not, my soul, with the close of day, and the opening of the morning, look up for these precious manifestations? 

Lord! Do thou open mine eyes, mine heart, my whole soul, to the enjoyment of these gracious renewed visits of Thy love: and let no night or morning pass, without receiving fresh and increasing evidences from my Lord, that Christ hath both opened my heart, and is "formed in my heart, the hope of glory!" 

-Robert Hawker (1753-1827 A.D.)  


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